warped in mind they emerge from airport swirl
we train along with other weary passengers
to the central station in Roma, the Termini
then got on a bus, it departs
looking back we notice not all of us got on the bus
Kate is standing there
good bye, goodbye, Kate, fare thee well
we’ll find you in about a month,
it’s a big city,
if we look for you
if you’re lucky,
if the gypsies don’t get you first and sell you
miracle of miracles, never have i seen this,
just as i wave goodbye
the bus stops, and waits for her
their vacation is saved
and now it begins in earnest,
we’ll run them, fun them
let them sleep when the vacation is over,
for this is a trip of a lifetime, more or less, we’ll see
i don’t want to exaggerate
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
poemcholia
at times after i write them
i want to hold them tight then,
not turn my pet mice-like poems loose
out of the sock drawer to scamper, taking flight
snap-like go-now puppies on the run
out on their own rolling
beyond my control
out of reach, out of sight
crossing the street
against the light,
a lone drifter may find them and take comfort
some blue dark eerie night
that’s okay, though It’s still not through
cause then, of my poems,
what is left will creep around
eventually, to snuggle up with you
so it’s all okay,
i think
therefore i am okay,
i think
i want to hold them tight then,
not turn my pet mice-like poems loose
out of the sock drawer to scamper, taking flight
snap-like go-now puppies on the run
out on their own rolling
beyond my control
out of reach, out of sight
crossing the street
against the light,
a lone drifter may find them and take comfort
some blue dark eerie night
that’s okay, though It’s still not through
cause then, of my poems,
what is left will creep around
eventually, to snuggle up with you
so it’s all okay,
i think
therefore i am okay,
i think
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
thank
thanks for looking
attention is a starting point
for rounds beyond bounds, yes it is
thanks for being you,
you have something on your sleeve there
every encounter
your pleasant manner charms
i know it isn’t easy
there’s certainly plenty with which to contend
i thought someone was checking invitations
you do well
i’ve got to say
my friend, see you again
another day
that’s his mother’s coat i recognize it
when you don’t quite understand
what is going on
it’s always better
to keep one hand
on your wallet
attention is a starting point
for rounds beyond bounds, yes it is
thanks for being you,
you have something on your sleeve there
every encounter
your pleasant manner charms
i know it isn’t easy
there’s certainly plenty with which to contend
i thought someone was checking invitations
you do well
i’ve got to say
my friend, see you again
another day
that’s his mother’s coat i recognize it
when you don’t quite understand
what is going on
it’s always better
to keep one hand
on your wallet
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
walk with me
walk with me this chill afternoon for a stretch, a dash
to capture light between buildings on our waning grey afternoon,
giving change to this day, hiding away from cold light drizzle,
it is winter and we have become weary of the season
while in this ancient city, Roma, it’s a traveler’s duty to lurk
these miserable damp streets, grey stone lanes we know well,
above , lights cast gay walking shadows on fine lace draperies
in grand high-life quarters, of which we’re forever strangers
a dark hovel is our consolation, dreary chamber we can afford,
fragrant luxury is wafting from farther down the street,
there, anointed families that have treasured this area for generations,
while, as fate would have it, we measure as the unfortunate newcomers
briefly passing through this place, we are contending,
dodging history in the evolution of the extended saga,
as a smudged foot note, on a page in the chronicle of events
that will carry well on, beyond us, murky into the long forever
to capture light between buildings on our waning grey afternoon,
giving change to this day, hiding away from cold light drizzle,
it is winter and we have become weary of the season
while in this ancient city, Roma, it’s a traveler’s duty to lurk
these miserable damp streets, grey stone lanes we know well,
above , lights cast gay walking shadows on fine lace draperies
in grand high-life quarters, of which we’re forever strangers
a dark hovel is our consolation, dreary chamber we can afford,
fragrant luxury is wafting from farther down the street,
there, anointed families that have treasured this area for generations,
while, as fate would have it, we measure as the unfortunate newcomers
briefly passing through this place, we are contending,
dodging history in the evolution of the extended saga,
as a smudged foot note, on a page in the chronicle of events
that will carry well on, beyond us, murky into the long forever
Monday, February 15, 2010
Shahjan
this waiter at Bufetto Due
immigrated from Bangladesh,
has been working here three years,
during pre- crowd time we chatted
a good and gentle soul,
observant to see a kindred spirit,
took time to exchange words
brought us a lemoncello in parting
though only an acquaintance,
and heaven knows they come and go,
i wish Shahjan well on the journey
and peace, and happiness, i surly do
immigrated from Bangladesh,
has been working here three years,
during pre- crowd time we chatted
a good and gentle soul,
observant to see a kindred spirit,
took time to exchange words
brought us a lemoncello in parting
though only an acquaintance,
and heaven knows they come and go,
i wish Shahjan well on the journey
and peace, and happiness, i surly do
learning to help
pre-Christmas two years ago
all was quiet, even the mice, until
i crossed the street in front of a bus
fell and broke my wrist in three places
by the time i made it home
M. had a fine evening meal prepared
so i ate, needing only one arm for soup,
it was delicious, then went to the hospital
considerate M. waited four days
before she fell and broke her ankle,
our first broken bones were a teaching,
as we spent the holidays helping each other
all was quiet, even the mice, until
i crossed the street in front of a bus
fell and broke my wrist in three places
by the time i made it home
M. had a fine evening meal prepared
so i ate, needing only one arm for soup,
it was delicious, then went to the hospital
considerate M. waited four days
before she fell and broke her ankle,
our first broken bones were a teaching,
as we spent the holidays helping each other
Sunday, February 14, 2010
the radio on
the radio on while driving
matching wits with news makers
often winning arguments, yelling out the window
i go on auto pilot,
making new slogans for commercials
often forgetting to signal,
with the window open i get wet
persistence keeps me on the road
i have learned to turn the wipers on,
lights would be fine if i could find them,
paying attention while driving is a good idea,
but i don’t seem the type
if lost i keep going
as long as there is gas in the tank
i know i could drive a taxi
those that i assist will tip me
matching wits with news makers
often winning arguments, yelling out the window
i go on auto pilot,
making new slogans for commercials
often forgetting to signal,
with the window open i get wet
persistence keeps me on the road
i have learned to turn the wipers on,
lights would be fine if i could find them,
paying attention while driving is a good idea,
but i don’t seem the type
if lost i keep going
as long as there is gas in the tank
i know i could drive a taxi
those that i assist will tip me
Saturday, February 13, 2010
of time
as it should be
tomorrow is unknown
and will arrive
in due time
it is far more advantageous
to retread carefully
lessons to be learned
from yesterdays
tomorrow is unknown
and will arrive
in due time
it is far more advantageous
to retread carefully
lessons to be learned
from yesterdays
Friday, February 12, 2010
snowfall joy / blizzard of Roma
snowfall joy
from warm looking out
see those flake giants
barging down elbow to elbow
churning thick
tumbling fat boys
elated, she got me outside
hat gloves scarf bundled
treading the rare blizzard of Roma
where Piazza Navona is white open,
a snowball or two launched in Campo dei Fiori
then all too soon, sun comes out
from warm looking out
see those flake giants
barging down elbow to elbow
churning thick
tumbling fat boys
elated, she got me outside
hat gloves scarf bundled
treading the rare blizzard of Roma
where Piazza Navona is white open,
a snowball or two launched in Campo dei Fiori
then all too soon, sun comes out
Thursday, February 11, 2010
off center
oh, bus in the rain
i’m back again, do you hear me
feeling no pain
only a little, look, i’m riding
must be the cold,
i can do dreary, getting old, and consider,
combine that with wet, not complaining yet,
see, like i said, it’s raining
talked to a guy from the Congo
studying on about priestly stuff
when i heard and had enough
got off the bus, lead by pure inspiration
M. said to ask those mechanics three
it was M., them and me
they pointed to a place - across the street
it’s good, they said, where we always eat
and just as i heard them say
was a mighty fine buffet
with prices better
this quick bus ride away, slightly off center
i’m back again, do you hear me
feeling no pain
only a little, look, i’m riding
must be the cold,
i can do dreary, getting old, and consider,
combine that with wet, not complaining yet,
see, like i said, it’s raining
talked to a guy from the Congo
studying on about priestly stuff
when i heard and had enough
got off the bus, lead by pure inspiration
M. said to ask those mechanics three
it was M., them and me
they pointed to a place - across the street
it’s good, they said, where we always eat
and just as i heard them say
was a mighty fine buffet
with prices better
this quick bus ride away, slightly off center
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
open ended conversation
on the radio
some call to say something
others call in
to be heard
walking down the street some talk
on the phone a long time
without pause for the other
is anyone really there?
always there are those
on the bus ceaselessly talking
fogging the window,
and have no phone
some call to say something
others call in
to be heard
walking down the street some talk
on the phone a long time
without pause for the other
is anyone really there?
always there are those
on the bus ceaselessly talking
fogging the window,
and have no phone
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
out styling
walking up a block
on Victtorio Emanuele where ahead is
a woman glowing several opposing colors, long skirt,
shawl, head dress, conflicting designs, and bangles
shoes mainly bright purple
with sparkles and curling trim,
bent low, working on a bag
what is this?
gypsies have gone conventional these days,
disguised away from tradition to blend in
facial features, eyes and hair identify them
surly this throwback must . . .
the woman stands and turns my way
by her face and hair
i she is Italian, evidently a
fashion statement out styling
on Victtorio Emanuele where ahead is
a woman glowing several opposing colors, long skirt,
shawl, head dress, conflicting designs, and bangles
shoes mainly bright purple
with sparkles and curling trim,
bent low, working on a bag
what is this?
gypsies have gone conventional these days,
disguised away from tradition to blend in
facial features, eyes and hair identify them
surly this throwback must . . .
the woman stands and turns my way
by her face and hair
i she is Italian, evidently a
fashion statement out styling
Monday, February 08, 2010
to genial grey shoe man
to genial grey shoe man
again this week, where fifteen euro
resole and re-heel the repentant,
i bid two pair
one pair unaccepted, condemned
to hopeless misery, mine,
sticker them -
caution, for home use only
along the return way
wood man on cobblestone lane
before his shop working a cabinet into being
in greeting for me spontaneously
sang a made up song
i’ll translate - “the situation with my sister
doesn’t go well.”
i laughed out loud
between buildings
slats of sun
dump warmth out of season,
most desirable
again this week, where fifteen euro
resole and re-heel the repentant,
i bid two pair
one pair unaccepted, condemned
to hopeless misery, mine,
sticker them -
caution, for home use only
along the return way
wood man on cobblestone lane
before his shop working a cabinet into being
in greeting for me spontaneously
sang a made up song
i’ll translate - “the situation with my sister
doesn’t go well.”
i laughed out loud
between buildings
slats of sun
dump warmth out of season,
most desirable
Sunday, February 07, 2010
heard a sound
heard a sound
in bed
going round
in my head
thought
it odd
i said
and thought it out
‘til it was gone
turns out
i was right
it was odd
in bed
going round
in my head
thought
it odd
i said
and thought it out
‘til it was gone
turns out
i was right
it was odd
Saturday, February 06, 2010
if you're really Dave
somehow i evaporated comments
for Mr. Hill and woodsmoke
guilty i am - and no wonder,
without a secretary who else to blame?
if you’re really a Dave,
and you’re really an Andy
that makes three of us
who are whom we say.
as world population, now 6.8 billion,
grows a quarter million a day,
though some die, mean growth is steady
and eighty percent live on less that two euros a day
my retired friend used her life savings
to put a down payment
on a small 300,000 euro apartment
and can’t afford a computer, who will cry?
my dear, very crazy, very intelligent friend told me
we're all doing the best we can.
offering recognition now, here's to Julie
do read this heart to love
and, to you all, thanks for reading here
the augmented verse i'll continue to offer
until i’m through.
and you know, i won't be the last
other have said, by God,
it all happened so fast
for Mr. Hill and woodsmoke
guilty i am - and no wonder,
without a secretary who else to blame?
if you’re really a Dave,
and you’re really an Andy
that makes three of us
who are whom we say.
as world population, now 6.8 billion,
grows a quarter million a day,
though some die, mean growth is steady
and eighty percent live on less that two euros a day
my retired friend used her life savings
to put a down payment
on a small 300,000 euro apartment
and can’t afford a computer, who will cry?
my dear, very crazy, very intelligent friend told me
we're all doing the best we can.
offering recognition now, here's to Julie
do read this heart to love
and, to you all, thanks for reading here
the augmented verse i'll continue to offer
until i’m through.
and you know, i won't be the last
other have said, by God,
it all happened so fast
now i am one
times ago when a novice to Italia
went on the road two months,
a touring play with a dozen Italians
coffee together, every meal, every day
coffee in the morning, you say
i can do that, start my day
or so it seemed, so i’d say
yet when it came all was outlandish new
disorderly turmoil, without deviation
coffee with these, the experienced,
weaned by the ages, since the beginning,
habitual action conferred by generations
my patterns needed compromise to function
i watched, i participated, adjusting i learned,
how long it takes, precisely how it is done
many roads that lead to the one
not of my bloodline,
infelicitous and extrinsic
day after day, until now,
now i am one
went on the road two months,
a touring play with a dozen Italians
coffee together, every meal, every day
coffee in the morning, you say
i can do that, start my day
or so it seemed, so i’d say
yet when it came all was outlandish new
disorderly turmoil, without deviation
coffee with these, the experienced,
weaned by the ages, since the beginning,
habitual action conferred by generations
my patterns needed compromise to function
i watched, i participated, adjusting i learned,
how long it takes, precisely how it is done
many roads that lead to the one
not of my bloodline,
infelicitous and extrinsic
day after day, until now,
now i am one
Friday, February 05, 2010
Mr. Hill
Mr. Jack, someone said the other day
my minds eye brought forth Everett Hill,
fragile, thin, gray, well beyond retirement age,
stayed on the job as the sweeper
there was an agreement,
when the old owner/boss retired,
he left word that Hill, as we all called him,
could stay on long as he could push a broom
it was a large city TV station
where a regular evening crew
cleaned the offices, waxed he floors
and took out the trash
when someone would get angry and cursed,
if Hill was around he’d call out
“don’t chew be bitter now, Mickie”, or whoever,
light heartedly he enlightened us
Hill was a daytime fixture
in the lobby, if it seemed interesting
or, in one of two large studios
casually dragging his long handled push broom
our work was in the studio
getting ready, working a show
then putting our things away
Hill was always around, just around
Mr. Jack is what Hill called me
he called everyone Mr. whatever their name was,
the important ones he used the last name
we the workers were Mr. First Names
for as long as he could show up
that was the deal that Hill stuck to, often reminding ,
as he does now working with the heavenly crew,
with a smile and a shake of the head,“now, don’t be bitter”
my minds eye brought forth Everett Hill,
fragile, thin, gray, well beyond retirement age,
stayed on the job as the sweeper
there was an agreement,
when the old owner/boss retired,
he left word that Hill, as we all called him,
could stay on long as he could push a broom
it was a large city TV station
where a regular evening crew
cleaned the offices, waxed he floors
and took out the trash
when someone would get angry and cursed,
if Hill was around he’d call out
“don’t chew be bitter now, Mickie”, or whoever,
light heartedly he enlightened us
Hill was a daytime fixture
in the lobby, if it seemed interesting
or, in one of two large studios
casually dragging his long handled push broom
our work was in the studio
getting ready, working a show
then putting our things away
Hill was always around, just around
Mr. Jack is what Hill called me
he called everyone Mr. whatever their name was,
the important ones he used the last name
we the workers were Mr. First Names
for as long as he could show up
that was the deal that Hill stuck to, often reminding ,
as he does now working with the heavenly crew,
with a smile and a shake of the head,“now, don’t be bitter”
Thursday, February 04, 2010
wood smoke
i split part of a small bottle of Chinotto,
an Italian soda since 1949,
somewhat like coke, but bittersweet
M. and i sat talking and sipping
she said our flower girl, who was eight back then,
this week sent an email saying she saw
Claraville in the Sierra Nevada of California
and our old buildings on Google satellite
thirty years ago we were married amid the pines
on Piute Mountain, when we were young, before
Google, email and we'd ever thought of living in Italy
now flower girl has her own daughter eight
our friends Lonesome Al, Piute Jerry and Cutter Bill
have all gone off to some hidden mountain cabin
reeking of pine, sipping hooch and laughing
i am sure they all are all laughing
now and then, in contemplation, M. and i recall
those rollicking times, warm fires and adventures
precious, pleasant memories all,
filled with friends, long starry nights and wood smoke
an Italian soda since 1949,
somewhat like coke, but bittersweet
M. and i sat talking and sipping
she said our flower girl, who was eight back then,
this week sent an email saying she saw
Claraville in the Sierra Nevada of California
and our old buildings on Google satellite
thirty years ago we were married amid the pines
on Piute Mountain, when we were young, before
Google, email and we'd ever thought of living in Italy
now flower girl has her own daughter eight
our friends Lonesome Al, Piute Jerry and Cutter Bill
have all gone off to some hidden mountain cabin
reeking of pine, sipping hooch and laughing
i am sure they all are all laughing
now and then, in contemplation, M. and i recall
those rollicking times, warm fires and adventures
precious, pleasant memories all,
filled with friends, long starry nights and wood smoke
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
a little sun
a break from the february cold
we're in reprise with good sun
from the window
i confirm fair weather
below, the blue coated white haired woman
over from seaside Ostia on a day trip
teetering along with her elderly daughter
to their smiles i salute with cheery greetings from above
out the door then we encounter Mario
the antiquarian in front of his shop working
a piece of furniture over a pair of saw horses
we nod as he keeps sawing
then Stefano, flakes of white plastered face and clothes,
greets us, he reports that in all of Italy there are
three cases of chicken pox, one of his small children
has it, ready to pass it to the other
high up the lady who walks her two small white dogs
is at her window in the arch
that spread across our tiny street
talking to a neighbor in another window
we say ciao to Franco One
then a step later ciao Franco Two,
both do furniture restoration
in their workshops on this street
Marjia passes next, just back from a month
visiting her mother in Finland
with an imperial salute she reports this high,
snow there is chest high
Marina the ceramic painter crowds through
in her auto, where one rarely comes by
it’s the only vehicle we encounter
in a half-block walk on this cobblestone way
finally, at the corner an old store keeper
sits catching sun in a rocker
her old husband is nearby talking with a friend
we good morning them all
then to the market, the Chinese side of the train station
loading our cart, see a tiny old woman, tall as my waist,
bent forward walking, her sailor’s deck-mop sheep dog grey and
white hair blows ahead in the light wind, and proceeds her
i take the cart the rest of the way home
while M. goes for a free Christmas ball from the Vatican tree, but
returned to report the tree remains dead, decorated and standing
usually it is down by Valentines Day
we have to be there on the day they are taking it down
no notice is posted, we keep checking
as in all of life
timing is everything
we're in reprise with good sun
from the window
i confirm fair weather
below, the blue coated white haired woman
over from seaside Ostia on a day trip
teetering along with her elderly daughter
to their smiles i salute with cheery greetings from above
out the door then we encounter Mario
the antiquarian in front of his shop working
a piece of furniture over a pair of saw horses
we nod as he keeps sawing
then Stefano, flakes of white plastered face and clothes,
greets us, he reports that in all of Italy there are
three cases of chicken pox, one of his small children
has it, ready to pass it to the other
high up the lady who walks her two small white dogs
is at her window in the arch
that spread across our tiny street
talking to a neighbor in another window
we say ciao to Franco One
then a step later ciao Franco Two,
both do furniture restoration
in their workshops on this street
Marjia passes next, just back from a month
visiting her mother in Finland
with an imperial salute she reports this high,
snow there is chest high
Marina the ceramic painter crowds through
in her auto, where one rarely comes by
it’s the only vehicle we encounter
in a half-block walk on this cobblestone way
finally, at the corner an old store keeper
sits catching sun in a rocker
her old husband is nearby talking with a friend
we good morning them all
then to the market, the Chinese side of the train station
loading our cart, see a tiny old woman, tall as my waist,
bent forward walking, her sailor’s deck-mop sheep dog grey and
white hair blows ahead in the light wind, and proceeds her
i take the cart the rest of the way home
while M. goes for a free Christmas ball from the Vatican tree, but
returned to report the tree remains dead, decorated and standing
usually it is down by Valentines Day
we have to be there on the day they are taking it down
no notice is posted, we keep checking
as in all of life
timing is everything
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
in a while
once in a while,
the very while
that occurred
this afternoon
it seemed learning
or along that vein,
had to do with
keeping mouth closed
when then we saw Bruno and Wendy
Wendy’s sister was there too
that’s what Bruno said, and better that i waited
instead of asking if this was Wendy’s mother
their two kids were also tagging along
ages seven and ten
we knew them before they married
not the kids - Wendy and Bruno
the kids we never knew
because they never were
when that ago time existed
once, in a while
the very while
that occurred
this afternoon
it seemed learning
or along that vein,
had to do with
keeping mouth closed
when then we saw Bruno and Wendy
Wendy’s sister was there too
that’s what Bruno said, and better that i waited
instead of asking if this was Wendy’s mother
their two kids were also tagging along
ages seven and ten
we knew them before they married
not the kids - Wendy and Bruno
the kids we never knew
because they never were
when that ago time existed
once, in a while
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